Floating insole shoe and insole assembly therefor



May 9, 1944. J. H. EVERSTQN 2,343,335 I FLOATING IfiSOLE SHOE AND INSOLE ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Filed Dec. 18/1941 3 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR x/(JJEPH EVE/Riv ATTORNEYfi.

y 1944 H. EVERSTON 2,348,336

FLOATING INSOLE SHOE AND INSOLE ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Filed Dec. 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z30 VlI'II/JIIIIIIIIIIII 220 N v E N TO R L/OJEPH H. EVE/P6 ra/v AT TOEN IEY D.

M y 4- r J. H. EVERSTON 2,348,336

FLOATING INSOLE SHOE AND INSOLE ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Filed Dec. 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 zoo zo/ INVENTOR F Joseph H. fnewsrafl ATTORNEY5 Patented May 9, 1944 OFFICE FLOATING INSOLE SHOE AND INSOLE ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Joseph H. Everston, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application December 18, 1941, Serial No. 423,513

'13 Claims. (Cl. 36-- 19.5)

This invention relates to improvements in floating insole shoes and insole assemblies therefor.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a novel and improved shoe construction in which the forward portion of the insole is so floated as to move forwardly with the wearers foot during flexing of the shoe in use, it being my particular purpose to provide for the free movement of the floating insole portions under load without wrinkling.

e To achieve the general objectives above described, I propose to supply beneath the cushion and the floating insole a lasting ply which is relatively thin and adapted to perform solely a lasting function, leaving all, or at least a major portion, of the forward portion of the insole free of the upper and free to move, the significance of the relative thickness of the floating insole and the relatively thinner lasting ply being to protect the insole against buckling such as has heretofore occurred where only a sock lining or other relatively thin or unduly flexible ply has been left above the cushion, or where the insole has been non-yieldably fastened.

It is a further specific object'of the invention to facilitate movement of the insole under load and at the same time secure against warping or wrinkling'by means capable of holding the insole flat while, at the same time, accommodating the forward and rearward movement of the insole as the shoe is flexed in walking. The specific means employed to accomplish this resultvary in the different embodiments of the invention herein disclosed and the several means for the purpose may be used, in many cases, either separately or collectively as desired. One way of providing for free movement of the insole upon the cushion which intervenes between "the insole and lasting ply is to surface the cushion with a ply of smooth,

light canvas or other fabric, or a flexible plastic.

upon which the insole can move with materially less friction than as if it were resting directly on the type of rubber used as a cushion in this instance. Another expedient which. holds the insole flat while at the sametime accommodating longitudinal movement is to provide an elastic tape connecting the insole with the lasting ply to hold the margins of the insole down while permitting it to move. Still another expedient involves the choice of a particularcushion construction so that even though the insole is adherent tc the cushion, movement will nevertheless be ac-' commodated. Still another expedient involves ing of the selected portions of the cushion to the insole or underlying shoe structure, whatever itmay be, in such a manner as to leave the maJor portion of the forward part of the insole free for relative movement. The device is illustrated in a variety of embodiments in the accompanying drawings and others will be obvious to those skilled in the art 1n the light of the followingdisclosure of the invention. In the drawings: Figure l is a top view in plan of an improve insole embodying my invention, a portion thereof. being broken away to expose the cushion and lasting ply underlying the insole proper.

' Filgure 2 is a view partially in side elevation, but principally in section, showing a shoe flexed under load and incorporating the insole assembly in F1 ure 1. i gure 3 is a view in longitudinal section through the insole assembly used in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in perspectlve of a shoe 1nverted as for lasting, portions of the various components being broken away to expose the interior construction. v u Figure 5 is aview similar to Figure 1 showing a .somewhat modified insole assembly.

Figure 6 is a view in longitudinal section through the structure of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view in transverse section through a shoe incorporating an insole assembly as in Figure 5 and and Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing a further modified organization, of the general the cutting of selectedportions of the cushion free from other portions thereof and the cementtype, however, shown in Figures 5," (Sand 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing a modified embodiment of the invention in which the cushion is cemented both to the insole proper and to the lasting ply and incorporates features providing for freedom of insole movement re.- specting the lasting ply.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan VIEW. of the cushion used in the insole assembly of F1gure 9. Figure ll and Figure 12 are fragmentary details in longitudinal section through modifications of the general organization shown in Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 5 showing a modified embodiment of insole assembly incorporating the invention.'

Figure 14 is a view in perspective of the forward portion of the insole shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view of a shoe in transverse section incorporating the insole assembly shown in Figure 13.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views. I

The invention is applicable to any type of shoe, whether welt lasted, stitched, staple lasted, or cement lasted. It is applicable irrespective of whether the cushions are full length or confined to the forward portion of the shoe. advantages of the invention are achieved where the cushion is omitted entirely, although the use of a cushion is preferred; The invention is also applicable whether'the insole is formed by split-v tinglasingle thickness of ,leather or whether it is fabricated from blanks. of leather or other materials. Examples of the various constructions shown appear in the drawings and it is desired to emphasize the fact that in many instances features disclosed in diiferent views of the drawings maybe interchanged or used separately or collectively, as desired.

The construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 incorporates a fabricated insole assembly in which the insole proper. is shown at 29, built, up in its heel portion by a shank piece 2i which termi-' nates atthe shank portion' and is there provided with e, forward extension beneath the forepart of the assembly comprising-the lasting ply 22.

Interposed between the lasting ply 22 and the insole 20is a cushion 23 preferably finished by a smooth and thin fabric surfacing ply at 24. At its rear end, the cushion 23 is preferablythinned by skiving (or it may-be so molded) to fit between; the-lasting ply'22 and the insole 29, as shownin'Figure 3. I e

The insole 2!! is relatively thick as compared with the lasting ply and'isalso shorter, its forward tip 25 being normally spacedwell-behind the tip-26 of the lastingply, as shownin Figures 1 and 3. The difference in length accommodates any forwardeliding movement. of the insole 20 when the shoe isflexed in walkingin the mannerindicated in Figure 2. The smooth fabric surfacing .ply at 24 on the cushion reduces friction between the cushionand the insole, but the relatively. great, thickness of the insole, as compared with thela'sting ply 22, is still desirable so that the residual friction will not cause the insole to buckle under load of the wearers foot asjthe insole moves forwardly in walking.

' The structure asshown in Figure '3 may cons'titute a separately sold article of fmanufacture comprising the insole 20, to the shank portion of which the lasting ply 22 is secured, the lasting ply providing a firm base for the lasting of a shoe upper and lining to its lower surface and having the cushion 23 unitarily bonded to its upper surface'and so skived or molded as to be adaptedfor connection to the insole shank portion, as shown. Preferably both the lasting ply and the cushion are unitarily connected'with the insoleshank inthecompleted structure.

The particular shoe disclosed in these views is cemented. The insolelassembly as shown in Figures 1 and 3 is laid on the last, such assembly preferably involving acushion 23 which is already Many of the fastened to the lasting ply 22. With the assembly on the last, the upper and lining 21 and 28 are cement lasted in the usual manner except that instead of being directly cemented to the insole, they are cemented to the lasting ply 22 which is relatively. thin and spaced from the insole by the cushion 23', as well as the fabric ply 24, if it be desired to use the latter. The space on the lasting ply and between the margins of the upper and lining is leveled off with a suitable filler at 29 in the usual manner and the outsole 39 is then cemented to the inturned margins of shank portion of the shoe to securethem to-" gether. 7 Elsewhere, they'are secured in a man ner which permits of relative sliding movement therebetween, as by a binding 33 of elastictape, which extends about the forepart periphery of the assembly. Such tape is sufiiciently yieldable so that when the shoe is flexed in walking, the forward portion of the insole 26 will move forwardly over the forward portion of the lasting ply 220 in the manner. already described. At the same time, the tape will hold the margins of the insole to the lasting ply thereby maintaining the insole flat and securing it against Warping or wrinkling. For purposes of illustration, this shoe is otherwise shown asa cement lasted shoe identical to that already described with the exception that the lower fold 34 of the elastic tape,.underlying the lasting ply 220, is now cemented to the inturned margin of the 1ining28 and the corresponding marginofgthe upper 21,"

thus intervening between the lasting ply and these parts.

In theconstruction shown in Figure 8, the structure. is identical with that of Figure 7 except that the binding tape 330,-instead of extend ing over the margin ofthe insole 20, is inter posed between the insole 2B and the cushion 239, being preferably cemented to both. -This con struction is satisfactory although the vertical side wall portion of the elastic binding tape is not as high, and, therefore, not'quite as elastic, as the vertical side wall portionofthe binding tape as used in the Figure? organization.

In any of the various shoe constructions here: in disclosed, the insole assembly may be of the general type shown in Figures 9 to 12. The insole proper, as shown at 20, is unchanged. The lasting ply 22 is similar to that shown in Figures l to 4. The cushion-23L however, is of a construction peculiarly adapted to be cemented both to the insole 20 and the lasting ply 22, rela-- tive movement betweenthe insole and lasting ply being accommodated by the cushion design. For this purpose, the cushion as shown in-Figures9 and 10 istransversely corrugated, having Vshaped transverse grooves at 35 and staggered grooves 36 on its under surface which are like wise V-shaped in cross section, the arrangement being such that relatively fiat topped sections 3'! on the upper and lower surfaces of the cushion are longitudinally offset-and connected by par allel walled portions which, are alternately inolined obliquely in opposite directions. This onstruction provides considerable flexibility and enables adequate movement of the insole respect-P ingthe lastin ply 22 without tending to break the cementitious connection between the cushion and the plies above and beneath it, r In the construction shown in Figures 11 an 12, the cushion 232 comprises, in substance, a series .of transversely extending cylinders 38 with intervening, substantially horizontal webs 39,

displacement of the insole respecting the last end ply without breaking the cementitious adhesions of the cushions to the insole and lasting pli s- .In the construction shown in Figure 13, the insole corresponds to that already described, but

. the cushion 233 has marginal portions 40 along its opposite sides partially, though not completely,

severed from the rest of the cushion. The lasting ply 22 may correspond to those previously disclosed. As indicated by relatively heavy lines in Figure 15, cement is applied at 4| to the top surfaces of the marginal strips 48 whereby such strips are connected to the insole 20. Cement is alsoapplied beneath the marginal cushion 233 (or substantial portions thereof) to connect the cushion generally to the lasting ply 22. The upper and lining 21, 28 and the outsole are lasted in the usual manner. This arrangement tends to enable the marginal portions of the cushion to hold the insole against warping upwardly and yet the insole is permitted relative freedom of forward movement with respect to thelasting ply as the shoe is flexed in use.

Figures 16 and 17 show an arrangement in which the prefabricated insole assembly is adapted to be lasted in accordance with the Goodyear welt method. The insole 20 floats on cushion 23-which rests, in turn, upon the lasting ply 22 as previously described. In this instance, the lasting ply is provided on its under surface with a lasting rib at 43 to which there is stitched in conventional manner the upper 21 and lining 28 and. a welt 44. The space between the inseam,

and the floating insole will. be sufficiently heavy to move forward and back over the lasting ply 202 during the flexing of the shoe under load so that no wrinkling willoccur. Where a cushion is desired, it may simply be interposed between the insole portion 20.0 and the lasting ply portion 202 of this integral unit.

While I have not shown sock linings in all of the various views of the drawings, it willbe understood that the use of sock linings is genarally to be preferred. A sock lining is particularly de sirable where, as in the construction shown in Figures 5, 6 and '7, a margin of the binding tape would otherwise be exposed for contact with the wearers foot.

It is characteristic of all of the various embodirnents of my invention that, partially due to the use of a standard thickness insole over a relatively thin lasting ply, and partially due to the various expedients employed to permit relative insole movement while holding the insole in position, I am able in all instances to avoid both wrinkling andwarping, thereby providing a satisfactory and commercially acceptable floating insole.

There is a variety of materials suitable for the cushions disclosed, many of which are already used .in cushion shoes. Preferably, the cushions shown in Figures 1 to 8 and 1 3 to 1'7 are sponge rubber, or foam rubber, or any form of porous material such as rubber or rubber substitutes in which, preferably, the pores are sealed.

While the cushion shown in Figures 9 to 12,

inclusive, may be made of these porous rubber or rubber substitute materials, the deformable structure of these cushions is such that it is not necessary to use such soft materials, and solid elastic sired, be surfaced with non-cushion material such as fabric or fiber, particularly where reduction in friction between the cushion and the rib 43, at opposite sides of the shoe, is filled inthe usual way to the level of the rib with filler 290 and the outsole 3b is finally stitched to thewelt 4'4.

erably is'projected only into the lasting ply, or at'most into the lasting ply and cushion. as shown in Figure 19, leaving theinsole 20 free for movement as above described, the outsole 30 being thereafter stitched to the lasting ply.

Instead of using an insole assembly which is fabricated from separate blank elements, it is possible, for the purposes of most of the devices previously disclosed, to use an insole 200 which is made by splitting .a relatively heav piece of leather or llke rnaterial from the shank portion If staple lasting is desired, the staple lt'i'prefinsole is desired.

fiber or any other well known insole material is suitable. The lasting ply also is preferably made of leather, although fiber or other'materials may be substituted. The shank piece is preferably made of fiber or plastic, or of metal or combinations of these materials.

Iclaim: 1. A shoe insole assembly comprising the combination of an insole having a heel portion, a shank portion, and a floating forward portion, a lasting ply beneath said forward portion and having a thinned shank portion, connected to the shank portion of the insole rearwardly of said insole forward portion, a cushion intervening between the lasting ply and the forward portion oi the insole, accommodating relative longitudinal movement between the forward insole portion and the lasting ply, and a shank piece underlying the heel portion of the insole and connected thereto and extending forwardly to lap the lasting ply.

- 3. A shoeas specified in claim 2 in which said cushion is distortable and has its upper surface secured to the forward insole portion and its lower surface secured to the lasting ply, relative movement between the lasting plyand the for-' ward insole portion being accommodated in cushion distortion.

4. The shoe of claim 2 in combination with cement 'adhesively joining the upper surface. of the cushion to theforward portion of the insole and adhesively joining the lower surface of the cushion to the top of the lasting ply, whereby to hold the forward insole portion flat while accom modating relative longitudinal thereofrespecting the lasting ply.

- 5; The shoeof claim 2, in which the intervening cushioning ply between the forward insole portion and the lasting ply beneath said portion has on its upper and lower face transverse grooves mutually staggered, and intervening staggered supporting portions respectively contacting the insole and'the lasting ply and connected therewith, said cushion being relatively distortable in a direction to accommodate relative longitudinal displacement of the forward insole portion respecting the lasting ply.

. 6. The shoe as specified in claim 2 in which the intervening cushion between the forward insole portion and the lasting ply has transverse grooves and intervening supporting portions respectively connected at their upper surfaces with the insole and at their lower surfaces with the lasting ply, said cushion being readily distortable in a direction to accommodate relative longitudinal displacement of the insole respecting the lasting ply.

'7. The shoe structure defined in .claim 2,-in

which the insole and lasting ply comprise an integral piece of flexible material having its forward portion split below its median plane to provide the said floating forward insole portion of greater thickness than the said lasting ply and free for sliding movement respecting the lasting ply, upon the flexing of the shoe.

8. In a shoe, the combination with an insole having a heel portion, a shank portion and a forepart, of a lasting ply beneath the forepart of the insole and connected with the insolesolely at its shank portion, theforepart of the insole floating on said lasting ply, a shank piece underlying the heel portion of the insole and lapping said lasting ply beneath the shank portion of the insole, and an upper having an-inturned margin cement-lasted to the lasting ply beneath the forepart of the insole and lasted to the shank piece beneath the heel and insole, whereby said insole is wholly free of direct connection with the upper, together with an out sole cement attached beneath the inturned mar-.

gins of the upper.

further combination with a cushion intervening between the insole and the lasting ply, the insole forepart being shorter than the lasting ply and less flexible than the lasting ply for forward floating and sliding movement with respect to the lasting ply and upper.

9. A shoe ofthe structure defined in claim 8 in displacement shank portions of the- 10. A shoe comprising the combination with an insole having a heel portion, a shank portion and aforepart, of a lasting ply unitarily laminated with a cushion ply, said cushion ply tapering rearwardly in thickness beneath the shank portion of the insole, and said lasting ply and cushion being connected with the insole solely at said shank portion and projecting beyond the forepart of the insole and materially more flexible than said insole, whereby said-insole is floatedand slidable' upon the cushion, a shank piece beneath the heel portion of the insole underlapping the rear of the lasting ply and cushion unit and connected to said unit'and tothe insole, an upper having inturned margins lasted to the shank piece and to the lasting'ply independently of the insole, and an outsole cemented to the Without wrinkling under load of the weight of a wearer of the shoe, and an upper having an inturned margin cemented in face contact with said lasting ply whereby to secure said upper without impairing the relative flexibility of the lasting ply as compared with the insole forepart, and an outsole cemented .to the lasting ply and upper.

12. In a Shoe having a forepart, a shank por.-'

tion and a heel portion, the combination with an upper, of an insole assembly'comprising an insole, a lasting ply and a shank piece; said insole having a relatively heavyforepart and being continuous therefrom across the shank portion and heel portion of the shoe, said lasting ply being disposed at the forepart of the shoe beneath said insole and being materiallythinner.than the insole andof tapered thickness beneath the shankportion of the insole and connected with the insole short of the heel portion of said shoe, said shank piece-being beneath the insole at the heel portion and extending forwardly and terminating at the shank portion in a position such that its forward end laps said lastingply; posed between the lasting 1ply and the insole upon which the .forepart of the insole is movable ply in the flexing of the shoe; said upper being lasted marginally beneath said assembly;

beneath said assembly portions of the upper.

13. In a shoe,

co-extensive with the lasting ply forepart and superimposed thereon, an insole resting upon the ginal portions of the upper.

cushion above the lasting ply forepart and terminating short of the forward end of the cushion and the lasting ply, an upper lasted about the insole, the cushion. and the lasting ply, and in substantial contact with the margins of the cushion and lasting ply, while free of .the'forward margin of the insole, said upper having inturned marginal portions cement-connected to the lower surface of the lasting ply and an outsole cemented cemented marbeneath the lasting ply and the JOSEPH I-I. EVERS'IION.

means intertogether with an outsole= and the lasted marginal the combination with a lasting, ply having a forepart, a cushion substantially 

